Governor Roy Cooper has formally proposed $3.9 billion in state funding for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Initial damages were estimated at $53 billion, according to a release from his office.
The announcement comes after the governor's visit to Asheville earlier this week alongside FEMA to further assess damages. He also increased unemployment payments to further benefit victims of the storm last week.
Cooper's recommendation of the almost $4 billion package is in an effort to rebuild infrastructure, homes, businesses, schools and farms that saw the brunt of the storm's impact.
“Helene is the deadliest and most damaging storm ever to hit North Carolina,“ said Governor Cooper. “This storm left a trail of destruction in our beautiful mountains that we will not soon forget, but I know the people of Western North Carolina are determined to build back better than ever. These initial funds are a good start, but the staggering amount of damage shows we are very much on the front end of this recovery effort.”
He went on to say the disaster was likely fueled by climate change and recovery efforts must happen sooner than later to ensure communities are able to rebuild stronger than before.
In terms of the economy, Cooper is including in his package $650 million to solely be allocated toward economic and physical losses for non-agricultural businesses and non-profits. Thousands of businesses in the state's western region were significantly impacted by the disaster.
Another $650 million will go toward housing recovery efforts. Physical damage to homes is set to be addressed as a way to jumpstart reconstruction plans prior to potential federal funds.
Important infrastructure took a big hit in the aftermath of Helene. Many communities are just now receiving water again as sewer systems and power generation facilities were unusable. Cooper's package recommends $578 million be secured for this issue.
An additional $422 million will be set aside to provide agricultural relief for the state's impacted western communities. Physical damages and business disruption left many farmers without a way to continue their usual land efforts.
Some of the money will be put towards the recovery of heavily damaged roads, too. According to Cooper's office, 5,000 miles of roads across western North Carolina, including several major interstates, have been severely impacted by the storm.
The governor's proposal package includes $55 million to address physical road damage.
Finally, the Governor's office will recommend another $420 million to help residents recover from previous natural disasters. These include Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Matthew.